20-SEP-2007
Borghese Gallery
After checking into my hotel room I had reservations at the Borghese Gallery at 5pm. Since I didn't know the bus system and knew it was out of the way I took a taxi to the gallery which was about 15 euro one way. I really only needed 45 minutes for the entire gallery as there wasn't very many people. Its not labled well but when you go in the reserved tickets are to the right. Then you can turn to the right again and get an audio guide which I didn't do since I had my handy Rick Steves Rome book. Plus from what I heard most were not working well. You also have to check in your bags at the bagage counter and the person will give you a key with a matching number. Don't loose it. The gift shop is nice but pricy and small. They do have a snack bar but it was closed by the time I got done with the museum walk. They have very clean restrooms so I suggest using them before walking around the park down to the Spanish steps.
20-SEP-2007
Water fountain
Water fountains are plentiful all over Rome. This one was just outside the Borghese Gallery. The water is quite safe to drink from and I have a sensetive stomach. So make sure you pack a water bottle.
20-SEP-2007
Lamp post
This lamp post is located inthe Villa Borgese between the Borghese Gallery and the Spanish Steps.
20-SEP-2007
Goethe
"In Rome I have found myself for the first time," Goethe wrote. Hopefully for me it will not be the last time.
20-SEP-2007
Artist market at the Spanish Steps
20-SEP-2007
This was my first Roman Sunset from the top of the Spanish Steps on Friday September 21st, 2007. The view was just fantastic to watch as you came around the corner it was probably the best day I had in Rome and my first day.
20-SEP-2007
Above the Spanish steps
I believe all ancient cities are best appriciated in black and white.
20-SEP-2007
I made it after being awake for 30+ hours I'm still awake and starving!
20-SEP-2007
Tiramisu cake, the good stuff. No diet here!
21-SEP-2007
1st Italian Dinner
This was my first Italian Dinner. Some kind of pasta that starts with an "F" with Pesto, Garlic and pine nuts. Yummie....
21-SEP-2007
The Vatican
Day 2 Saturday Sept 22 starts with figuring out the bus system which is quite easy to follow. I was dropped off next to the Vatican and tried to find some one who could point me to the excavations office to get my ticket. The Vatican sad to say was the least helpful area in all of Italy. I asked about 7 people including someone at information and they didn't know where the office was. They kept telling me to find the Swiss guards, Like I'm suppose to know where they are located. The vatican doesn't exactly have neon or well marked signs saying Swiss guards here. But I finally found it and waited about 10 minutes for the tour to start.
21-SEP-2007
Vatican Scavi Tour
I highly recommend the Scavi (means excavation) Tour under St Peters Basillica. They only allow about 20 people per tour group and you have to request months in advance by going to their website and getting the fax number. Not recommended if you are very clausterphobic or are of a larger size.Some of the halls are extremely narrow. But worth the tour if into history. Unfortunately no photos are aloud once inside so this is all I got.
21-SEP-2007
Once you walk into the area of the Vatican you almost instantly feel like you have done something wrong.
22-SEP-2007
Outside the Pantheon
A temple for all gods. The name comes from two Greek words pan, "everything" and teon "divine". Originally, the Pantheon was a small temple dedicated to all Roman gods. Built between 27 and 25 B.C. by the consul Agrippa, Prefect of the Emperor Augustus, the present building is the result of subsequent, heavy restructuring.
22-SEP-2007
Even the locals drink from the fountains
22-SEP-2007
Inside The Pantheon
My favorite photo of the Pantheon
22-SEP-2007
Pantheon
The famous hole in the wall.
21-SEP-2007
Full moon over the Pantheon
22-SEP-2007
The Gladiator
These poor guys get such a bad wrap in the Rick Steves books. I decided I had to have one for my photo collection and this guy by capitol hill was a very nice man. It was only 2 euros for 2 photos, quite a steal I though and he helped us with directions and as far as I know didn't steal anything from us. The ones by the colloseum looked a little rough around the edges but this guy was really nice.
22-SEP-2007
Pizza
Traditional pizza with very little to no cheese
22-SEP-2007
Fallen Art
Most people are busy looking at the main huge ruins they forget to look at the beautiful scroll work that has been left on the fallen collums along the way in the forum area. Most people just use them to sit on and not as a piece of art work. This was one of the more stunning ones I found.
